SB or BB, seriously guys... - Page 3

Doug Axelrod · #41 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 01:51 PM

I am waiting for someone to say they've got both big block and small block and use them for different purposes....sorry if I missed that thread.

65 Blur · #42 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 02:25 PM

SBC - the only choice for a replica. Arntz / Butler had it right back in the day.

niles · #43 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 04:21 PM

Bandit:

Where do you get 325/50R15 tires?
thats what I'm looking for!!
gn

BANDIT 1 · #44 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 04:27 PM

Mr. Niles:

The tires are BF goodrich Drag Radials. Most tire places like the "Tire Rack" have them or can get them.

Excaliber · #45 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 04:39 PM

65 BLUR

Imagine,,,,

your traveling through another deminsion,,,,,,,where Vettes have FE motors and Cobras wear bow ties. You've entered......... the "Antz Butler Zone".

Ernie

dewulfmd · #46 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 04:57 PM

You guys write too much!!!

In general, the advantages are:

427/428 -> Authentic (390 - authentic looking)

460 -> Power & torque

Small bllock -> nicer driving car (more streetable)

Mike D.

Coupster · #47 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 06:29 PM

The new guy's still here Rick. Problem is he can't get online all the time - only evenings.

Thanks to everyone who responded - I'm not completely confused. On the off chance that any of you have registered new 460s in Houston, Texas (specifically Harris County) - how d'ya pass emissions? Or were you legally able to register by body style not engine date?....

The saga continues....

Thanks guys. The response rate's phenomenal!

Coupster · #48 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 06:31 PM

Sorry that should read "I'm now completely confused..."

bran3b · #49 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 06:40 PM

Coupster,

This might have been mentioned, but if not...

Why a brand new motor? I have a '72 460, which helped with the emissions problem. My total investment in the motor was comperable to a crate engine with similar performance.

something to keep in mind.

Good luck.

P.S. I love the 460, good sound and handeling.

Coupster · #50 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 07:36 PM

Brandon,

Good point. Only problem is that Superformance dealers appear to offer only new engines (most of them crate not custom). That said, as Doug Reed of Superformance South once said, "given time and money, anything's possible," - or words to that affect. How reliable is your 72? Does it overheat easily?

Anyone know what drives the 'model year' when registering in Harris Country/Houston, Texas? I've heard many different stories. Many recommend going through one the specialist title companies who'll get the thing titled as either new or old (~65), but that doesn't appear entirely legal within the same county!

bran3b · #51 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 08:05 PM

My engine is reliable, but I am fighting a minor overheat problem. I think that it is more my fault than the engine.

In Colorado the engine determines the year that I have to pass emissions for. The car is titled as a 2002, but I pass emissions for a '72. From what I have heard, you might not want to ues a title company, I know that some people have had trouble a few years down the road after going this route. I didn't have any trouble, but Texas might be different.

BANDIT 1 · #52 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 08:11 PM

Mr. Coupster:

Superformance dealerships don't build or install the engines, they will recommend a engine and engine builder. While some "recommend" crate engines, if you ask for the engine builders phone number I guarantee the engine builder has several custom engines available.

A crate engine is not a bad thing, many engine builders will (for a charge) go through the crate engine and upgrade or change anything they feel is a issue. For example: A couple of years ago the 514 c.i. crate engines were having problems due to the rods failing, that is why they now have "eagle" rods.

Coupster · #53 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 08:54 PM

Brandon - interesting. Car is titled as new, but emissions are for a 72. Makes perfect sense, but this is now getting more complex than originally anticipated. If only I didn't want one...

Bandit - it's my understanding that SPF do in fact install, but don't build. While at Superformance South many moons ago, Doug Reed had two brand spanking new engines sitting on the shop floor waiting to be installed. Another looked like it was in the process of being installed. In their collateral and on their websites (e.g. olthoff-racing.com), the dealers promote certain engines (351 crate, 351 custom, 351 stroked to 396 and two 460s). As you state, I'm sure others can be built/installed upon request. I was just assuming that it'd be easiest / safest / cheapest to go with one of their 'standard' packages, but I could of course be wrong.

So let me instead ask this question: is there such a thing as a reliable, powerful big block that doesn't overheat and offers comparable or better performance and fuel consumption vs. a new 460? I ask this question out of pure ignorance.

And secondly who builds & installs the best darn engines in all the land (that'd be Texas - preferably near Houston), and backs them up with a warranty too...

coyled · #54 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 08:15 AM

Coupster, the best engines are those that the builder has dyno'd and broken in with some hp and torque figures. That way he knows it is a solid motor, you know it is a solid motor, and you know the hp and torque. Otherwise the warranty is 30 feet or 30 seconds, whichever comes first. On the small block big block thing, go ride in both. The bragging rights, go to saying that you have a big block. Performance, cost, parts, and reliability are all, now days, pretty much small block. Depends on what turns your crank. Good luck, Scott.

speed220mph · #55 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 08:48 AM

Bottom line, if you want athentic and have bunches of $$$ to invest, go with the FE engine, preferably a 427 s/o first or compromise with a 428, but don't use a 385 series (429/460) engine. It's not a big block. If it's cube and torque you want, a stroker 351W is the one. Best of all in the small-block category would be an fia 289. Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

BANDIT 1 · #56 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 08:55 AM

Mr. Coupster:

I think the reason most dealerships recommend the "standard" crate engines is they do purchase the engine (From Ford) and have someone install it (a engine shop). That way the dealership probably makes a profit. It also allows them to not have to update the engine shops "custom" engine program (for example: one shop may have 5 or more 460 engine choices, etc...). They will also list the crate engines because of the lower price. For example: A person that is shopping for a good deal is more likely to go for a car with a price of $38,000.00 (rolling chassis) + $6,995.00 600+ horsepower 514c.i. Ford crate engine than they would if the company advertised a $15,000.00 600 + horsepower "custom" 520 c.i. engine. I thought most (if not all...) dealerships stayed away from installing engines and transmissions because then they would be selling a "complete" car. A complete car would have to then be setup like a new "complete" car (Cat. converters, 5-mph bumpers, emissions controls, etc...).